In previous seasons when the 4 place team is eliminated, Phil greats the top 3 teams with "Congratulations! You are one of the 3 final team racing for one million dollars." Phil did not use that verbiage, so it was confirmation of a NEL.

Having said that, I think that Eric & D would have been eliminated if they were last. When Cha cha cha stepped on the mat, Phil said that they must not be last or they would be eliminated.